Twins relief prospect Todd Van Steensel provides a fascinating look at his finances in an article by MiLB.com’s Ashley Marshall. Most minor leaguers make very little money, and Van Steensel demonstrates what that means in practical terms. He’s had to borrow to pay rent, and he sometimes saves money by taking clubhouse leftovers home. “When the season started, I had $50 in my checking account and then waited 10 days for my first paycheck,” says Van Steensel. “I don’t have enough money for a savings account because I try to save money for emergencies like rent.” Here are more notes on prospects.
- At least Van Steensel has been able to lean somewhat on the $60K bonus he received upon signing in 2008, however. Not all minor leaguers have that luxury, and that includes most players drafted as college seniors, since that group of players has little leverage to negotiate bonuses. Former NC State infielder Logan Ratledge, who recently signed with the Pirates, describes his frustrating negotiating process to Baseball America’s John Manuel. Twice, a team asked Ratledge if he would sign for $100K if they drafted him in the early rounds. Both times he said yes, but the team drafted other players instead. Later, a different team offered him a $20K bonus, but a third team promised Ratledge $100K if he told other teams not to draft him on Day 2, so Ratledge told the team offering $20K that he would have to pass. The team offering $100K didn’t follow through on its offer, though, and finally the Pirates drafted Ratledge in the 13th round. He signed for $5K.
- Jhailyn Ortiz is one of the top Dominican outfielders available in the international signing season that begins July 2, BA’s Ben Badler writes (subscription required). Ortiz is likely to get a bonus of around $4MM, with the Phillies possibly being among the bidding teams. Given his size, though — he weighs 260 pounds at age 16 — he appears likely to move to first base. He has terrific power, but there are enough questions about his ability to make contact that he isn’t on par with a top international prospect like 2014 Brewers signee Gilbert Lara. “I’ll take Gilbert Lara every day over Jhailyn Ortiz,” says an international director. “He’s a for sure right-right first baseman who was not close to anything with spin. I know he has raw power, but Lara is a better hitter with more power.”
Just shows you how willing to lie MLB teams really are.
Ones that should go on strike are the minor league kids, but have a strong feeling what would end up happening.. The REAL prospects and guys that have a decent chance would get hurt and retreads would come flooding out of the woodwork for newfound jobs.. What A Crock..
Unions don’t care about small guys, not anymore. All they want is power. They protect the millionaire players and the monopoly (powerbase) they have and could care less about these little people, just like everywhere else. remember this people. Prime example.
Minor Leaguers are not Union members. It has nothing to do with the MLBPA. Their job is to do what is best for their members.
It has everything to do with the MLBPA when they bargain away their rights (freely) every CBA and these kids can’t even afford to live. Don’t try and feed me that line of nonsense.
Wow, that’s despicable. There should be a minimum bonus for college seniors, how does that work in minor league clubhouses when some bonus babies can eat steak and the rest are fighting for scraps? Would it be that hard to provide 3 square meals to all player employees?